William "Bill" Lon Kelly

William Lon Kelly, aka Bill, passed away Thursday, March 03, 2022 at the age of 81. He was born January 06, 1941 in Stratford, OK to Jay and Irene (Tommy) Kelly. He got married and enlisted in the US Navy in June 1958, then served till June 1962, achieving the rank of Seaman 2nd Class. Always ambitious, he accomplished almost everything he set his mind to, and that was a lot. A short list of businesses that benefited from his presence include Mecklenburg Duncan, Aero Commander, Fleming Company, Gandara Buick and Lynn Hickey Dodge. His proudest achievement was starting Dash covers of Mid-America which he owned and managed for nine years. Of course, retirement wasn’t a concept that he subscribed to. He began buying properties, mostly in need of repair, then restoring to market condition. Some of the houses he would sell and some he would keep becoming the landlord of 31st Terrace. In Highschool he was talented on the Saxophone and High School Football. He was also Vice President of his Jr and Sr Classes.

He enjoyed camping, waterskiing, road trips, rebuilding sportscars, tennis, ping pong, golf, auctions...etc. He was skilled in whittling and woodwork, and later in life loved turning wood on the lathe. Bill was preceded in death by his second wife Donice Kelly in 1985, his parents in 2000 and sister Jessie Lee in 2006. He is survived by his children, Katheryne Kim Kelly-Caskey, Christopher Jay Kelly and Jay R. Kelly, Nephews Roger and Ricky Perkins, as well as 8 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren, and former wife Jean Kelly-Schaefer

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.billmerrittfuneralservice.com for the Kelly family.